AN appeal has been launched to raise £10,000 to resurface the riding arena at Welburn Hall School.

The arena is used by the Riding for the Disabled Group (RDA) which was started more than 40 years ago by local volunteers.

Elspeth Crookenden, from the group, said: "The arena was originally constructed in 1983 and is now in desperate need of a complete new surface for the children to be able to ride.

"The RDA Group is a flourishing organisation, still run by volunteers who transport ponies in each week that are loaned by local families and is totally self-funding.

"The children, who are aged between eight and 16, enjoy their riding and we encourage them to take part in the RDA National Competitions for Countryside Challenge and Introduction to Dressage.

"They can also take their grade tests in riding and horse care and this year we are hoping to introduce endurance riding. All of these help to give them a sense of achievement and experience doing something different.

"At the moment our arena is in such a state that we only give it limited use ourselves, but in the past we have had riders from outside and would continue to do so providing all the RDA criteria is adhered to. We also have a waiting list of our own riders as RDA is so popular.

"Every year we do have a fund raising event ourselves, either a huge coffee morning, a garden opening or a fundraising party run by our volunteers."

The appeal's first donation was from Ryedale Show, which presented £500 to the group.

Show secretary Christine Thompson said: “As a registered charity ourselves we are always keen, whenever possible, to make donations to other local charities.

"When the committee heard that the Welburn Riding for the Disabled Group were raising funds for their new arena we were only too pleased to be able to help.

"There is an increasing awareness of the benefits that the interaction between disabled people and animals can bring and the Riding for the Disabled were probably one of the first Associations to recognise the fact. The work that is carried out by their volunteers is invaluable and you can see the pleasure that riding brings to the Welburn Hall students."

Donations towards the appeal should be sent to Mrs E Crookenden, Riding for the Disabled Welburn Hall School Group, Welburn Hall School, Kirkbymoorside, or phone 01751 431218.